The World Health Organization developed a proposal and timeline for controlling NTDs that was originally intended to be implemented in June 2020. This roadmap targeted controlling and eliminating specific NTDs by 2030. With the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the launch of this program is postponed and other NTD activities have been reduced to prevent additional transmission of the virus. 

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- WHO pushed back implementation of program to control NTDs
- Disruption of mass treatment programs
- Proper allocation of minimal resources


Impact of Disrupting NTD Programs

Chaumont, C., Kamara, K., Baring, E., Palacio, K., Power, A., & Lancaster, W. (2020). The SARS-CoV-2 crisis and its impact on neglected tropical diseases: Threat or opportunity? PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. doi:e0008680

The SARS-CoV-2 crisis and its impact on neglected tropical diseases: Threat or opportunity?

WHO pushed back implementation of program to control NTDs

Treating PC-NTDs mandates annual mass treatment with high coverage to reduce infection rates. Unfortunately, an inevitable result of canceling mass treatment programs is infection resurgence. These delays will significantly impact diseases with short elimination timelines, three to five years, such as lymphatic filariasis. Additionally, years of progress could be reversed as is the case with the disruption of treatment cycles for schistosomiasis infections. These global health campaigns have suffered from setbacks in the supply chain, unseasonal rains, conflicts, political campaigning or reduced funding. Despite these obstacles, NTD programs have adapted and are making the necessary accommodations to treat as many populations as possible. 

Disruption of mass treatment programs

Due to disruptions of disease surveillance and evaluation activities, affected communities have needed to efficiently allocate already scant resources. This concern remains especially relevant for schistosomiasis as recent global efforts to record and identify hot spots have been pushed back. 

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